The Chinese New Year: From Fear to Festivity

Chinese New Year celebrations originated from the legend of a beast that was scared of the color red, noise, and lights.
選擇語言:中文English
  • 1Bright colors, spirited parades, and the pop of firecrackers,...
  • 2...they're the unforgettable sights and sounds of the Spring Festival...
  • 3...commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year.
  • 4It's a celebration that lasts 15 days,...
  • 5...the most colorful and important holiday on the Chinese calendar.
  • 6The Chinese have been celebrating the New Year since 2,000 BC.
  • 7But the origins of this now joyous holiday were born of fear and myth, not festivity.
  • 8An ancient Chinese legend tells the story of the wild beast "Nian",...
  • 9...who appeared each year at the end of winter attacking and killing villagers.
  • 10To scare the beast away, they used the color red, loud noise, and bright light.
  • 11The customs of Chinese New Year were born.
  • 12"Nian" is also the Chinese word for "year".
  • 13And much like a wild beast, the year was something to be feared...
  • 14...as flood, famine, and sickness took many lives.
  • 15On the New Year, families gathered for a reunion to see who had survived,...
  • 16...and to wish the best for the year to come.
  • 17Today, the tradition continues as families celebrate the New Year together.
  • 18Throughout the centuries, Chinese New Year celebrations...
  • 19...have been held at different times under different emperors.
  • 20In 1911, the Republic of China was established under Sun Yat-sen.
  • 21Soon after, the country adapted the foreign solar-based Gregorian calendar,...
  • 22...establishing New Year celebrations for January 1st.
  • 23During the political turmoil of the early 20th century, the Chinese government returned to its roots...
  • 24...and reestablished the traditional lunar calendar to set the dates for holidays.
  • 25Chinese New Year is celebrated at the beginning of the first month of the lunar calendar...
  • 26...around late January; early February on the Western calendar.
  • 27People crowd city streets, buying new clothes and shoes.
  • 28They shop for the best firecrackers, and choose special ingredients for the festive meal.
  • 29Red is the color of happiness and abundance.
  • 30Auspicious symbols written on red paper...
  • 31...hang in every store window and home to bring good fortune.
  • 32Families enjoy the New Year's Eve feast with plate after plate of elaborate food,...
  • 33...the most symbolic meal of the year.
  • 34A whole fish stands for abundance,...
  • 35...a chicken for good luck;...
  • 36...both served with head and tail, symbolizing a good beginning and end for the coming year.
  • 37After the meal, elders pass out small red envelopes called "hong bao".
  • 38Each has a New Year greeting on the outside, and lucky money on the inside.
  • 39On the first day of the New Year, people take to the streets,...
  • 40...filling the day with the explosion of firecrackers.
  • 41The celebration continues for two weeks with traditional ceremonies and days of rest.
  • 42On the 15th day, the Lantern Festival arrives, signaling the end of the holiday.
  • 43It's a tradition that can be traced back to 200 BC...
  • 44...when the emperors of the Han dynasty lit their palace with lanterns...
  • 45...to pay tribute to the universe.
  • 46Today, the lanterns provide a glowing backdrop for a lively parade...
  • 47...as lion dancers and beautiful dragons wind their way through the streets,...
  • 48...warding off evil spirits and bringing good luck.
  • 49A symbolic celebration comes to an end,...
  • 50...but the promise of good fortune fills the air as the Chinese Year begins anew